Intellectual Property Director (0340U), Innovative Genomics Institute - #83237

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Departmental Overview

The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) is a non-profit, academic research organization formed through the partnership of UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco and UC Davis. Led by Executive Director Jennifer Doudna, the IGI combines the fundamental research expertise at these institutions to address important societal challenges. IGI focuses on unraveling the mechanisms underlying CRISPR-based genome editing and applying this technology to improve human health, (including personalized and tissue-selective delivery of human therapeutics), improve plant varieties for environmental and agricultural uses, and create new microbe-inspired biotechnologies. To complement this work, the IGI puts special emphasis on education about the scientific and societal implications of genome engineering. While this position formally is within the Vice Chancellor for Research Office, it primarily supports the IGI.

Position Summary

Based at UC Berkeley, the IGI IP Director is a critical member of the organization's management team. Reporting to the Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (CIEO) within the Vice Chancellor for Research Office, and with a dotted line reporting relationship to the Executive Director of the IGI, this position is responsible for the short and long term leadership, coordination, and oversight of creating and managing IP and helping to create opportunities for commercialization of technologies developed at the IGI. The position focuses on strategic development and implementation in three key areas: strategic management of intellectual property, development and stewardship of industry collaborations, and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that will lead to start-ups.

Involves advising faculty and the campus on intellectual property (IP) rights protection, business start-up and other technology transfer related issues. Evaluates the commercial potential of research results, obtains and manages the appropriate IP rights protection, markets inventions and software, and/or biological/tangible materials; drafts and negotiates IP licenses and Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and IP terms in research and collaboration agreements. Works with companies who wish to sponsor research and/or license technologies from campus researchers. Ensures adherence to federal and state laws regarding research, conflict of interest, IP, contracts and employment. Works with outside patent attorneys to file patent applications.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 01/01/2026. For full consideration, please apply by 01/11/2026.

Responsibilities

Intellectual Property/Patents

• IP Strategy & Development: Represent IGI on the most complex intellectual property matters, meeting with inventors to discuss ideas, suggest necessary experimental data to support broader claims, and determine optimal patent filing strategies based on research progress and publication timelines.
• Portfolio Management & Prosecution: Independently develop and manage patent portfolios for research areas/inventions. Work with outside counsel in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of patent applications, including reviewing and editing draft applications, negotiating claim sets, and developing worldwide national phase strategies in consultation with inventors and the UC system's technology transfer office (IPIRA).
• Landscape Analysis & IP Clearance: Initiate novelty, patentability, right-to-use, and state-of-the-art patent searches. Conduct deep landscape analyses for specific IGI projects to identify potentially blocking intellectual property, competition, and geographical patent rights, advising researchers on strategies for IP clearance.
• Disclosure & Compliance: Oversee invention disclosures, determine patentability of institution's inventions, and guide patent filing decisions. Review draft publications and external presentations for any potential IP issues prior to public disclosure.
• Legal Support & Liaison: Support UC Office of the General Counsel and outside law firms in legal defense and/or infringement suits. Track all IGI filings in an internal database and liaise with IPIRA weekly to ensure seamless communication on provisional filings, PCT conversions, and licensee prosecution instructions.
• Policy & Process Improvement: Evaluate and work on continuous improvement of the IGI's systems and procedures to ensure effective/efficient management of IP and related portfolios.

Business Development & Entrepreneurial Programs

• Commercial Strategy & Counseling: Advise IGI researchers on strategies for access to licenses and assist with obtaining access/license to UC IP/inventions for start-up activities. Provide counsel on entrepreneurial/start-up aspects, including incorporation, financing options, business plan development, and connecting them with relevant campus and VC resources.
• Entrepreneurial Program Leadership: Develop, promote, and manage robust, successful entrepreneurial programs (e.g., accelerators, fellowships) to support researchers, staff, and students interested in commercial development. This includes meeting with potential donors, implementing application processes, reviewing proposals, and negotiating master agreements for program execution.
• Contract Negotiation: Draft and/or negotiate complex agreements involving inventions/IP and licensing for internal and external parties. Negotiate intellectual property clauses in unique, complex sponsored and collaborative research agreements, ensuring compliance with IGI/UC Berkeley IP policies.
• External Representation & Networking: Market new technology to potential industrial partners, facilitate start-ups, and represent IGI in the campus-wide entrepreneurial community and at external organizations (e.g., industry showcases, corporate engagement boards). Network with commercial entities to bring external experts into IGI entrepreneurial programs.

Administration & Outreach

• Contracts Management: Act as the primary point of contact between IGI members and contracting teams (Industrial Alliances Office, Sponsored Projects Office). Determine contract purpose, provide necessary forms and process guidance, and liaise between requestors and contractors to track and move the contract process forward (e.g., MTA, CDA, NDA).
• Education & Outreach: Provide advice/counsel and develop materials (including guest talks for UCB classes and internal programs) to educate members of IGI on IP, technology transfer, commercialization, and start-up activities.
• Reporting & Compliance: Oversee and report on the IP budget and activity. Ensure IGI researchers are in compliance with the terms in collaborative research agreements, and help put agreements in place with worldwide non-profit partners regarding equitable access to technologies.
• Professional Development: Attend seminal national and regional meetings (e.g., in cell/gene therapy, climate) to stay abreast of current biological advances and commercial market trends relevant to IGI research, as well as developments in patent law and research compliance.

Required Qualifications

• Requires expert, state-of-the-art knowledge of a broad functional work area, and broad application of advanced principles, concepts and theories such as laws, regulations, and practices pertaining to the protection and management of intellectual property, university technology transfer, general scientific and/or technical skills in subject matter area, and management experience.
• Ability to market technology to industrial partners.
• Knowledge of contracts, grants and gifts.
• Able to contribute to development of new concepts and policies.
• Able to generate pro forma estimates of equity holdings/evaluations.
• Experience in marketing early stage science and technology.
• Understanding of basic science, especially biology and genomics.
• Strong skills at design for publications and visual displays and exhibits.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• An established network of biotech/genomics industry contacts.
• Advanced scientific degree (MS or PhD) and/or JD or MBA and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $221,000.00 - $300,000.00. The full salary range associated with the job classification is $176,100.00 - $355,900.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is eligible for up to 80% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

This job is part of the Employee Referral Program. If a UC Berkeley employee is referring you, please ensure you select the Referral Source of "UCB Employee". Then enter the Employee's Name and Berkeley E-mail address in the Specific Referral Source field. Please enter only one name and email.